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September 19, 2004
Man charged with 17 counts of child abuse
By Chris Gautz -- Daily Telegram Staff Writer
ADRIAN: A 54-year-old Adrian man who recently lost his video camera was arrested Thursday because the tape inside the camera contained footage of him allegedly sexually assaulting two young girls.
Phillip Sanchez is now facing life in prison after being charged in Lenawee County District Court Friday with 17 counts of child abuse. His bond was set at $1.7 million.
Adrian Police Detective Sgt. Lynn Courington said the camera was found next to a phone booth in front of the Pharm. When the individual who found the camera viewed the contents of the tape the following day, the tape was turned over to Adrian police.
"People don't usually lose their cameras," Courington said. "This had some unusual circumstances. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense."
The tape showed two girls, under the age of 10, being sexually abused in their sleep on at least three different occasions. The victims were not from Adrian, but the crime occurred in Adrian last fall, Courington said.
"This is a heinous crime," said Adrian Police Chief Michael Martin.
The suspect was filming the assault and his face was not visible, but was identified by a scar on his hand. Sanchez also appeared on the tape previous to the assault footage at a family gathering.
Courington said five detectives worked on the case all day Thursday, and along with a member of the road patrol, put in about 60-70 man hours.
"Our investigators used exhaustive efforts in identifying, locating and arresting the perpetrator of these crimes," Martin said. "They did a great job."
An Adrian Police detective spotted Sanchez walking along Erie Street at about 5 p.m. Thursday and brought him in for questioning, where he gave a full confession, Courington said.
Sanchez then told police where he was storing his belongings until he could find a place to live, and police found 30 more tapes.
"So far nothing else illegal has been found," he said.
Greg Marten, an employee with the Lenawee Intermediate School District, helped police by enhancing the video and taking still photos of the victims from the video.
"If it hadn't been for his still pictures, we wouldn't have been able to have identified them so quickly," Courington said.
Police have talked with the family of the victims, who have since moved out of state.
Courington said the victims were sleeping during the assault, and may not have known it occurred.
Sanchez had no prior arrests for crimes of this nature, Courington said. He had been arrested in Adrian in 1993 for shoplifting, Courington said.
He had only been in town for a few days, as he had recently moved back to the area from Colorado on Sept. 9, Courington said.
Sanchez was charged with six counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct, seven counts of second degree CSC, two counts of child abusive commercial activity, one count of child sexually abusive activity, distributing or promoting, and one count of child sexually abusive material.
Sanchez's preliminary examination is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sept. 27.
Posted by Nealus at September 19, 2004 11:43 AM
Comments
I am glad to see that you are going to keep this sex offender for life. I do wonder if the time given will change because of GOOD behavior? I do notice that there are lots of CHILD sexual assault offenders that are released than some other serious crime offenders. Why? I feel that the justice system goes too easy on them, which risks our childrens lives. Purity. They are released because they SAY they will never do it again, but really the truth is they are like pit bulls....once the dog tastes blood you have to put it to sleep because it will keep attacking to kill and taste blood. I don't see the difference between pitt bulls and these child sex offenders. They don't stop, they just keep going til they get what they WANT. I do believe that there is deliverence and redemption for them. Between them and GOD! Why risk our children. They had their chance to live out here with their freedom, but they gave it up by taking an innocent childs freedom!
Posted by: Erica at June 13, 2005 07:03 PM
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